It’ll take a little longer to know what charges the state attorney’s office may bring against Lakeland resident Tamara Swanchara.
An April 30 court arraignment was continued because the SAO had yet to file official charges against Swanchara, 23, arrested April 3 for third-degree felony drug possession and first-degree misdemeanor domestic battery in Holmes Beach.
The case began when witnesses called the Holmes Beach Police Department to report Swanchara for attacking a friend and fleeing the scene at the Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive.
Police located Swanchara at a local bar, where they arrested her for domestic battery.
They also found in her purse a Xanax pill for which she had no prescription.
Swanchara was transported to the Manatee County jail, where she was released April 4 after posting $3,000 bond.
Swanchara pleaded not guilty April 8.
The third-degree felony charge for drug possession can carry up to 5-year prison and/or probation sentences, as well as a $5,000 fine.
The first-degree misdemeanor charge carries up to a year-long prison sentence and a $1,000 fine.
— Ryan Paice